BROOKS INSTITUTE SCREENS STUDENT FILM
AT THE SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – January 22, 2008 – Brooks Institute announced today it will screen the 35mm student film Lost Hope & More, on Wednesday, January 30 at 4 PM and Friday, February 1 at 7PM at the Majorie Luke Theatre (721 E Cota St) in Santa Barbara at the 23rd Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF).

This student, comedy-short is about an actor whose work is so poorly received that he's tried and convicted as a "public menace." The hilarity ensues as he tries to regain the industry and his audience's respect. Shot on 35mm film as part of the Kodak-sponsored, 35mm Project, the film includes cameos of several Santa Barbara locals including John Palminteri, Roger Durling, and Judge Ochoa; shots of numerous city landmarks; and footage of real life celebrities attending past SBIFF events. The screenplay was written by student, Jesse Griffith and directed by graduated film students, Cameron Cone and Isai'ah MacMenami.

The prestigious 35mm Project, now in its 5th year, subsidizes the creation of a 35mm short film that partners a group of Brooks Institute students with industry professionals who serve as project mentors. It gives student filmmakers the opportunity to experience filmmaking using the same tools as industry professionals, while supporting Brooks Institute's curriculum model of "learn by doing." The school's commitment to student-centered, experiential learning – with classes taught by faculty who are experts in their respective fields – prepares students to adapt to rapid industry changes and evolving technologies.

The 35mm Project involves a 150-person film crew; more than 30 vendors; rental equipment (valued at more than $1 million); and an estimated 24,000 hours of labor from students, faculty and volunteers. Students participating in the project enroll in the Kodak 35mm Project class, apply for specific production jobs – ranging from producer to director and gaffer to accountant – and receive course credit for their hands-on training experience.

Lost Hope's crew consisted of the following students:
Directors: Cameron Cone & Isai'ah MacMenami
Producers: James McLean & Alicia Cattoni
Writer: Jesse Griffith
DPs: Roland De Middel & Kevin Duggin
Editor: Robert Jones
Production Designer: Zoe Anderson
Sound Designer: David Farmer

Brooks' film faculty members (and husband and wife team), Tracy and Judy Trotter, executive produce the films and facilitate the program. For this film, Kodak, Otto Nemenz Camera Rental, and Chapman Crane were among the many sponsors who generously contributed to the project.

"Lost Hope and More is one of our more ambitious 35mm projects. We are thrilled to have this opportunity and thank Kodak, Roger Durling, and the SBIFF team that help to make this project possible," stated Tracy Trotter.

Lost Hope & More is one of 220 SBIFF films, including 20 world premieres, scheduled to screen during the 11-day festival which opens Thursday, January 24 and runs through Sunday, February 3.

For more information about Lost Hope & More, the 35mm Project (which will involve 40 Brooks students in 2008) or Brooks Institute, please contact Bethany Innocenti at (805) 690-7603.

For more information about the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, please visit http://www.sbiff.org.

About Brooks Institute
Brooks Institute celebrates more than 60 years of educating students in the visual and media arts. With campuses in Santa Barbara and Ventura, California, the school offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in fields including Professional Photography, Visual Journalism, Film and Video Production and Graphic Design, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography. Brooks' graduates are visible nationally and internationally, working for distinguished organizations including National Geographic, Smithsonian, Los Angeles Times and other national media outlets, including Hallmark Publishing, Cousteau Society, HBO, Kodak and other industry leaders in the visual media arts fields. Brooks is part of the Career Education Corporation network of schools (NASDAQ: CECO). For more information about Brooks Institute and the school's programs, visit www.brooks.edu, or call 805-966-3888.